I officially accepted the internship with Somalia program of an INGO. It's something and I'm more than ready to work full time. So this is good start.
Today after doing some job research I went and played squash with my roommate at the Impala country club. The country club is beautiful - it looks like an old Italian resort from the 1960's. I say this because I stayed at a few Italian resorts built during WWII in Ethiopia and the Impala's style of green and white buildings with bars tucked in random areas is a mirror image. I played horribly but after half an hour I was able to make my roommate run. Afterwards we went swimming in the outdoor pool. The total cost of this outing was $6. Without a doubt I am living a life of luxury in Nairobi and I am grateful at this opportunity to enjoy such things.
After Impala, I met a woman who is working with my organization's counterpart in Somalia. She offers insight into work opportunities in the region and I enjoy talking with her about life in general. She drops me off at a matatu station and since it's before 5pm I am able to get home in half an hour. Later that night I meet my friend Cynthia at an Italian restaurant whose prices match some Italian places in the East Village. It was worth it as my appetite has recovered from transition into single life again. We then went to the Havana bar as it's the "spot" to go to on Thursday. We had a nice time aside from meeting several creepy expat men who clearly go to Havana seeking fresh meat.
The next day I completed a lot of paperwork for the organization I will be working for and then set out to buy food for dinner. I had a craving for chicken cutlet and I invited my friend cynthia as she has done a lot for me to help me get settled. Aside from the cutlets getting a little burned, they were delicious. Afterwards we went out to a Onami - the Japanese restaurant/bar owned by an Israeli restaurateur. The food is great but the prices do not match the service so when it took an hour for my friend's sashimi salad, I spoke to the manager and got the salad taken off the bill. After working in many restaurants in New York, I have little tolerance for food that costs a lot without the service to back it up. Also I have inherited my father's high expectations for service and lack of patience for poor management. I am however trying to be more patient and less uptight about things that are not worth getting angry over. It's a challenge and patience, as my Kenyan roommate tells me, is a skill that Kenyans have mastered. I will not master it but I will touch it.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Day Eighteen
Today I went to town to meet with a Somali woman who has put me in touch with a Somali NGO that is seeking a consultant for project proposals. We arrange to meet at a mall downtown Nairobi and it takes us 30 minutes to locate each other in the mall. I often get lost in translation with giving and getting directions in East Africa. It's amazing how many ways there are to describe your location. We finally meet and she has brought a colleague with her who is also from Somalia. She begins the meeting by saying that the organization will only pay me for my services if a grant is awarded. I explain to her that I am not financially able to do that. What I want to say is that for so long I have provided services for employers for little or no money. I do however say that I will speak with the director to see if there is any compensation he can offer although I know damn well there is isn't. When our meeting closes, they look to me to pay which I do without hesitation. I'm trying to not let myself get too worked-up over a few dollars since I am after all much more fortunate. Principals are hard to let go of sometimes but I'm finding it is more beneficial not raising your blood pressure over stupid expectations.
After the meeting, I headed over to Alliance Francaise to see the film, "A Prophet" which was runner-up to the academy awards last year. http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/02/26/movies/26prophet.html The film provides an intimate portrait of cultural prison gangs in France. It is a very well made film that keeps you on edge the whole 2.5 hours. It is a bit too long and during scenes of such intense anxiety, I found myself wanting to leave. Several people actually left and came back during the film.
Overall I recommend it, particularly those who are from France, Corsica, and Franco-phone countries.
After the meeting, I headed over to Alliance Francaise to see the film, "A Prophet" which was runner-up to the academy awards last year. http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/02/26/movies/26prophet.html The film provides an intimate portrait of cultural prison gangs in France. It is a very well made film that keeps you on edge the whole 2.5 hours. It is a bit too long and during scenes of such intense anxiety, I found myself wanting to leave. Several people actually left and came back during the film.
Overall I recommend it, particularly those who are from France, Corsica, and Franco-phone countries.
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